Dolly Parton’s album Rockstar became her highest charting one and the third to reach the top ten. The star-studded album marked her transition to the rock genre and featured artists like Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Lizzo, Sting, and Steven Tyler.
Rockstar immediately won the hearts of Dolly’s fans, debuting at number 3 on the Billboard 200, with over 128,000 album-equivalent units sold by November 23. Her previous high-performing albums, Blue Smoke, and her ‘80s collaboration with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris, Trio, peaked at number 6.
‘Rockstar’ records highest sales
Until Rockstar, Dolly’s last biggest week was in 1993, when she sold over 50,000 copies of Slow Dancing With The Moon in its second week of release. Her latest release recorded over 118,000 units sold in its first week, which is more than double her previous feat.
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The 30-track collection comes third place in last week’s global sales ranking, just after Taylor Swift’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version), which took second place with 138,000 units sold, and Drake’s For All The Dogs in first place. The songs include a mix of originals like “World On Fire” and classic covers like Prince’s “Purple Rain” and Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway To Heaven.”
Dolly stuns at halftime
Dolly previewed Rockstar with a “first-listen fan event,” giving viewers a peek into its creation with behind-the-scenes footage and an exclusive interview. NME’s Jordan Bassett had nothing but praise for Dolly’s latest hit in a four-star review, saying it “is as bursting with life and positivity as the woman who made it.”
The “Jolene” crooner performed some songs off the album during halftime at the Washington Commanders’ and Dallas Cowboys’ NFL game on Thanksgiving Day. The 77-year-old wore a Cowboy cheerleader’s uniform as she rendered the famous “9 to 5” and covers of Queen’s classics— “We Will Rock You” and “We Are The Champions.”